Kar Andersen of Andersen Forge has done it again, this time taking the "form" side to a whole new level, while keeping the "function" side of the equation at it's max, as always. For more information on Karl Andersen and the creation of his one-of-a-kind custom take-down knives, visit his page in our "featured makers" section.
This knife is a fighter fit for a king. The 9 1/2" blade is hand forged, heat treated and tempered by the maker, using 5160 Carbon Steel. This type of steel is ideal for fighting knives, bowies and other large knives due to it's flexibility, toughness and edge holding capabilities. Carbon Steel is also easier to sharpen than most other steels, and with a little experience, it can actually be a pleasure! This blade will take and hold a razor sharp edge. Performance is, as always with Karl's knives, the number one priority when making any blade. Form closely follows function in Karl's knives, and he is one of the few that can make a knife that will stun you both visually and in what it is capable of. This knife is eceptional at both ends of the spectrum, and in my opinion, as a knife user and collector, is Karl's work at it's absolute best.
This knife is in Karl's standard take-down configuration and, with the twist of the hot-blued key provided in this package, it can be disassembled, piece by piece. This eliminates the need for epoxy's and glues used in many similar fixed blade knives and makes care and cleaning a cinch. It also means, due to the fact that the knife can be assembled and dis-assembled, that each piece must be made with a precision far greater than most others. Karl's lines are exact, flowing and beautiful to look at.
The handle is made from a block of premium Black Ash Burl wood which has been beautifully carved by Karl into an octagonal formation. This wood is some of the best I've seen. It catches light wonderfully, revealing an endless array of patterns within its structure. At the top of the handle, the piece had been rounded to fit up against the guard. A finger groove has also been carved into the shape wihich makes it easy to choke up your grip on the blade as well as make it extremely comfortable during a full-force swing. The finger groove provides a sort of rest when relaxing your grip to swing, tightening your fingers and throwing your wrist forward at the moment of impact...
The base of the handle meets the buttcap with exacting precision on all sides and corners. The cap is also in the form of an octagon, each side bevelled inward to meet the back, all of which has been hot-blued and mirror polished. Centered on the base is the take-down bolt. This is the piece that is turned using the key to disassemble the knife. As an object on the knife, it acts as a great "skull-crusher" Everything has it's purpose!
The guard section is made up of four seperate components - the guard itself, two fileworked spacer rings and another hot-blued spacer between those rings. All of the pieces were hand made and file worked by Karl. The Guard is hot-blued and mirror polished on the top and bottom, leaving the edge at a flat finish. This really pronounces the surrounding pieces and helps seperate the many lines flowing on this knife. In the end, everything fits together as if it were never seperare.
Karl's work is quickly becoming more and more popular with both users and collectors. Karl makes every knife to perform while incorporating his artistic talents into each piece. This particular knife is the best example I've seen that reveals the best of both worlds in Karl's work. Karl plans to go for his JS stamp soon and join the KMG - prices are not gonna stay this way much longer. I think you know a fantastic deal when you see one - and here it is.
